Issue 24-11-2023
Featured story
Change, the subject: Ken Orchard’s Thought for the week
When I was at school, I remember a teacher telling me that I could expect, at different stages of my life, to go in and out of belief in the existence of God, and that that was perfectly normal. I am grateful to him. Those words have stayed with me...
Top stories
Order of the day? Matt Rosen on Quaker decision-making
My Meeting is exploring why we do what we do, particularly as we make decisions. This has led me to think about the history and theology behind our practice of collective discernment. While Quaker decision-making has inspired people outside our communities, it can seem awfully peculiar. How did we get...
Discomfort food: Susan Groves uncovers a difficult period in the history of Quaker chocolate company
Around fifty Friends from Central England Quakers gathered at Bournville Meeting House on Saturday 21 October to explore the theme ‘Chocolate, Slavery and Bournville’.
Quaker midwife on five-day peace fast
A Quaker healthcare professional held a five-day fasting vigil outside the Scottish Parliament last month, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Israel/Gaza.
AI aye: Keith Wilson presents a novel view
Technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), is having an undeniable impact on our world. AI, often described as the emulation of human intelligence by machines, is transforming the way we live and work. As Quakers we should approach it with our values in mind.
Keeping council: Jacinta White, and then Peter C Robinson, attend Quaker Life Representative Council
Around fifty Quakers, from thirty-eight Area Meetings, attended the Quaker Life Representative Council in person at Abingdon, staying at Milton Hill House.
All articles
Demand for white poppies surges
There was a sharp rise in demand for white poppies ahead of Remembrance Day this month, following increased interest from those calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.
Meeting houses offer sanctuary during protests
Quaker Meeting houses have been opening near protest routes to provide a quiet safe space during marches. Others have been hired out to groups wishing to plan events or discuss what’s happening in Palestine and Israel, says Clare Wood, head of Peacebuilding Projects for Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM).
Britain Yearly Meeting finances in good shape
According to Britain Yearly Meeting’s (BYM) most recent accounts, more money was spent on Quaker work in 2022 than in 2021, with 2023 looking like another strong year. BYM says that this means it ‘will be able to maintain its momentum’.
Friends in Wales host ecocide event
Friends in Wales hosted a public event exploring the campaign to make ecocide an international crime last month.
Letters - 24 November 2023
Mental health The trustees of the Quaker Mental Health Fund have asked me to say how pleased they were to see the piece by Mary Woodward (‘Taking care’) in your 3 November issue. It sounds as though Mary’s experience, and that of the friend she told about our grants, was...
Eye - 24 November 2023
Beautiful bunting Spirituality and creative expression were highlighted in a recent display by Friends in Skipton Meeting. A ‘festival of yarn and woolly creativity’ is held annually in Skipton and several Quakers in the Local Meeting joined with members of the Grassington Peace Group in staffing a stall there in...